Union County, SC’s Multimodal Connections Impacts Future Growth, Development and Sustainability

February 11, 2021

Union County, South Carolina offers close proximity to major transportation nodes focusing on land, air, rail and sea giving this rural community a competitive advantage in attracting manufacturers, warehouse/distribution and e-commerce companies from around the Globe. With its highly developed infrastructure and focus on innovation and technology, Union County is part of a dynamic economic boom and home to global companies such as Milliken, Timken, Standard Textile, Gestamp, Webb Forging, Kemper Corporation and CSL Plasma just to name a few. Six countries have their global footprint in Union County and depend on its logistics infrastructure to move goods and product to customers.

Companies relying on “on time” deliveries appreciate Union County’s multi-modal transportation options offering economical, efficient and environmentally friendly benefits to achieve offloads to their destinations. The County’s central location in Upstate, SC provides convenient access to interstates, air, railways and ports accommodating its business sectors as a means of shipping goods and maximizing their supply networks. Just a short drive or a quick flight provides connections to nearly every metropolitan city in the Southeastern US. Positioned right off the I-85 corridor, the area is served by three major airports (GSP International , Charlotte Douglas International , and Columbia Metropolitan), two railways (Norfolk Southern and CSX), and the inland Port in Greer, SC and a major shipping port in Charleston, SC. Having access to this multimodal channel is a key advantage for Union County’s global industry base.

By Land

Union County’s Highway System (US Highway 176 and SC Highway 49) plays an essential role in transporting goods to destinations around the Globe. Easy and convenient access to major interstate routes (I-26, (-85, I-77, and I-95) provides connections to air, ports and rail intermodal infrastructure. From Union County’s Upstate SC location, one day’s truck service reaches approximately 44% of the US’s population in addition to major markets and suppliers.

By Air

Union County is centrally located between three international airports offering more than 600 daily flights to domestic and international locations. Greenville Spartanburg International (GSP) is less than a 45- minute drive time and offers non-stop international cargo service with regular flights to Germany and Mexico. Charlotte Douglas International (CLT) is 62 miles away and Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is less than a three-hour drive time.

By Rail

Union County’s rail system is well connected and served by major rail providers, CSX and Norfolk Southern Railways. Norfolk Southern links Union County industries to worldwide markets and serves every major container port in the eastern US. Norfolk Southern Railway was also instrumental in bringing the Inland Port to Greer, SC.

As the largest intermodal network provider within the US, CSX offers nationwide transloading and distribution services to maximize Union County’s industrial supply networks.

By Sea

Located within a three-hour drive time of Union County, the South Carolina Ports Authority serves as an international gateway of goods exported and imported into Union County, the State of South Carolina and entire US. The Ports of Charleston, Georgetown and Inland Ports in Greer and Dillon, SC insures the efficient movement of goods between businesses and global markets. Union County is positioned within 42 miles of the Inland Port of Greer extending the Port of Charleston’s reach by providing the County’s businesses access to more than 95 million consumers worldwide.

“Union County’s multimodal and logistics options serves as an economic development driver and force in growing the local, regional, and state economy. The majority of Union County industries are heavy exporters and depend on multimodal options to streamline their supply chains and encourage future growth and investment in the area. “